Bought a "Brand new" ukulele on eBay... what I received was not like that at all!

Bought a "Brand new" ukulele on eBay... what I received was not like that at all!

This is going to be a bit of a rant.

I saw an auction up for a Vorson electric tenor described as

“This is brand new, never used. it is out of its original packaging but that is the extent of the use.”


Since the total price was approximately $20 cheaper than it would be from a "Brand new" instrument that is not out of its original packaging, I took the plunge and purchased it.

The package just arrived today, but before I even opened it up, I was displeased. The packaging job was absolutely awful! The seller had just stuffed it into a thin box, which was barely big enough to fit the instrument. And there is ZERO padding or cushioning inside. Inside the box, the ukulele is simply there in a nylon-thin gigbag!
It's a miracle the ukulele didn't arrive all the way to Australia from overseas smashed into pieces. I can only imagine the trauma that this instrument went through. To top if off, part of the box was even breaking apart at the top - and I suspect that the postal service patched it up themselves with tape..


Secondly, the ukulele was NOT as described!
"Brand New" my bottom! "Removed from original packaging, and that is the extent of its use" my donkey!

The instrument was covered in handsmudges, scratches and tell-tale signs of use. I know the difference between a used and a "brand new" ukulele. And in case it was not glaringly enough obvious that this is very much a "used" ukulele, the seller had even put on alternative strings. "Brand new" Vorsons come strung with a low-G tuning, but this ukulele was tuned with high-G strings. The parts of the strings and fretboard near the nut have that extra corrosion/oil stains that show that this ukulele was definitely used extensively.

I hope the seller responds soon. I am hoping to either get a complete refund (including shipping) OR a significant partial refund that would satisfy me enough to keep the "used" instrument.

Here is the following message I sent on eBay.

I have just received this Vorson electric ukulele today, and I am very dissatisfied with your listing and the way you packaged it for shipping.

This was the worst packaged instrument I have ever bought. Have you ever posted an item? You have stuffed it into a box that is not even big enough for the instrument with absolutely no padding or protection. Part of the box at the top was broken when it arrived to me.

Furthermore, the ukulele was described as “This is brand new, never used. it is out of its original packaging but that is the extent of the use.” From the condition of the instrument this is simply false. There are signs of extensive use! The instrument is covered in scratches and smudges from lots of handling. I also know that the strings/tuning has been changed. It is installed with high-G tuning, not low-G as it would be brand new. I am greatly dissatisfied, considering I could buy a BRAND new one for $18 more.

I want a full refund incl. shipping or a partial refund!

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Le awesome packaging:




I took these photographs immediately after removing from box.
Apparently this is what "Brand new" looks like:

May the buyer beware!!

Looks very used to me - or at least - ex-demo stock. Terrible

My gosh, upon closer inspection, this thing has been played a LOT.

On some areas, the gloss finish is scuffed and worn down..

I've had electric ukuleles that I have owned for YEARS that did not have this much wear!!

Good luck. That is very disappointing. I would ask or a full refund and open a claim with eBay and or PayPal

Good reason to make the uu marketplace the first place to buy and sell ukes.

Wow. FedEx or UPS would not have excepted packaging like that. The Post Office accepts everything (I think they may have to by law). It's amazing that it wasn't in pieces and you got it.

If you end up keeping it, automotive scratch removal/polishing compound may buff out some of those scratches. I've had good luck with a product called Scratch-X by Meguires.

I understand your frustration. Your email to the seller seems a little more based on emotion, at which point the buyer may be less inclined to deal with you reasonably.

As per Olarte's suggestion, file a claim through eBay. With your pictures, this should be pretty easy to take care of.

One Bad Monkey said:

I understand your frustration. Your email to the seller seems a little more based on emotion, at which point the buyer may be less inclined to deal with you reasonably.

As per Olarte's suggestion, file a claim through eBay. With your pictures, this should be pretty easy to take care of.

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I agree totally. I would file a complaint with eBay.

and if you paid thru paypal, i believe they have protection too ... i had a similar situation once. filing a claim through eBay will greatly damage this seller's ability to sell again. threaten him with the eBay claim and see if he quickly resolves, then file the claim anyway. that seller's a crook.

I've read lots of horror stories about bad musical instrument buys on eBay. I don't know why anyone would go there to buy anything in the first place. One guy bought a flute, and, when he received it, it was just junk!

Caveat Emptor! ld:

That is very unfortunate, seller was definitely deceitful. It is always a gamble buying from an unknown source but as long as you paid through Paypal you are fully protected. Sometimes trying to save $14.00 is just not worth it. Good luck and make sure you report him and file a claim against him. I would take it straight to ebay and let them fry his arse so he can't do the same thing to other people.

Well I just went through a problem on Ebay. I received a defective item and they told me I was responsible for return shipping costs. I hit the roof but it was my fault because I did not read their return policy. Lesson learned. BTW I talked them into sending a call tag and I did get a full refund. Look, on ebay you need to really be careful and experiences like yours are one way you can learn. I prefer to learn from others mistakes but don't do it often enough. So... first things first. Check out the seller ratings/feedback. You can learn a lot right there. Good luck and this is why I'd almost always rather do business with HMS. They do it right.

I like to buy stuff from stores. That way I can examine things first and maybe even play an instrument or two. I don't even like to buy stuff from Amazon unless I hafta. I know that not everyone has a store nearby, so I guess those people will hafta use a reputable mail order dealer.

If people buy stuff from stores rather than trying to save a few bucks, maybe there will be more stores. ld:

I agree with Down Up Dick - but am one of those who doesnt have a reputable store anywhere near me. Thankfully in the UK there are about three main and very highly regarded uke specialists who as well as selling online have bricks and mortar stores - so buying there does support local suppliers.

Direct from Amazon ukes (and I mean that Amazon ship -not marketplace sellers) are a complete minefield!

Down Up Dick said:

I like to buy stuff from stores. That way I can examine things first and maybe even play an instrument or two. I don't even like to buy stuff from Amazon unless I hafta. I know that not everyone has a store nearby, so I guess those people will hafta use a reputable mail order dealer.

If people buy stuff from stores rather than trying to save a few bucks, maybe there will be more stores. ld:

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I flew to Hawaii to buy from HMS store and ended up with one that is probably played by many many many many people before me . There were no discount for being 'used as display sample'. :-( Just can't win.

Brenda Wong said:

I flew to Hawaii to buy from HMS store and ended up with one that is probably played by many many many many people before me . There were no discount for being 'used as display sample'. :-( Just can't win.

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As long as there aren't any visible dents, dings or what have you, on a floor model, why should you get a discount?

C'mon, OBM, when one flies to Hawaii to buy from HMS, I'm sure she wanted an especially beautiful ukulele for good memories, if nothin' else--have a heart. It should have been a special treat for her!

Well, I hope you had a nice trip anyway, Brenda. ld:

Brenda Wong said:

I flew to Hawaii to buy from HMS store and ended up with one that is probably played by many many many many people before me . There were no discount for being 'used as display sample'. :-( Just can't win.

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Well it's always worth asking.

Brenda Wong said:

I flew to Hawaii to buy from HMS store and ended up with one that is probably played by many many many many people before me . There were no discount for being 'used as display sample'. :-( Just can't win.

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They should have charged you more because you received one where the top had likely opened up a bit from all the playing